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# How It Works
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## What is the ThreeFold Grid?
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The grid is a decentralized Web4 infrastructure layer which allows us to build Web4, for everyone and by everyone.
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**The layer is called the ThreeFold Grid and...**
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- It is capable of delivering self-healing data, network and cloud at a planetary scale.
- It allows everyone, everywhere to deploy their own sovereign Internet infrastructure.
- It allows everyone to build the applications of the future (10x less effort, 10x more security).
- It has been operational for years as a working proof of concept with thousands of nodes online. [Check the ThreeFold Dashboard. ](https://dashboard.grid.tf )
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## Participants
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### Farmers (Cloud Providers)
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- Individual and commercial farmers connect hardware capacity to the ThreeFold Grid and earn rewards for doing so.
- Over the next years, millions of nodes will be connected to the existing network. [Check the ThreeFold Dashboard ](https://dashboard.grid.tf ).
- Our network technology provides an end-to-end encrypted and ultra reliable connection layer.
- Our storage technology makes sure data is never lost and privacy is guaranteed.
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### Developers & System Administrators (Users)
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Our platform has a lot of use cases:
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- Web2 system administrators can deploy any application on the grid with the tools they are used to work with.
- Web3 enthousiasts can run their blockchain workloads on the grid.
- Web4 developers build the apps (experiences) of the future.
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## Web4 Decentralized Architecture
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The ThreeFold decentralized architecture has key features.
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- Millions of Famers in Farmingpools (v4) deliver the compute, AI, storage and network capacity required.
- Governance is done via the ThreeFold decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).
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- Web 2 and 3 solution providers & hosters can use the resources on the grid. [Check the ThreeFold Dashboard. ](https://dashboard.grid.tf )
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- Web 4 developers can create the apps (experiences) of the future.
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## Vision
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The ThreeFold Grid aims to create a more sovereign, efficient, and evolutive Internet infrastructure that returns control to individual users and reduces reliance on centralized tech giants.
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> A thriving Internet is not only possible, it is being built right now.
>
> *ThreeFold is building Web4...*
>
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Join the grid and build with us! There are many ways to contribute and interact on the grid.
Read the [Components ](/docs/category/components ) section to see how you can join the Web4 phase of ThreeFold.
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## The Process
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- Farmers deploy nodes to the ThreeFold Grid, providing data, network and cloud resources.
- Resources are verified via the **Proof-of-Capacity** minting protocol and made available for workload deployments.
- Users can rent data, network and cloud resources directly through the network via the **Proof-of-Utilization** payment protocol.
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## Unique Value Propositions
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With a *planet and people-first* philosophy, ThreeFold proposes a new way forward.
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1. **Privacy** : Direct control over personal data
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2. **Global Accessibility** : Internet infrastructure for underserved regions
3. **Sustainability** : Reduced energy consumption compared to centralized data centers
4. **Economic Empowerment** : Reward mechanism for individuals providing grid resources
5. **Community-driven** : Changes and enhancements to the grid voted by the TFDAO
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## Technical Foundation
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Threefold has developed an extensive technology platform to make Web4 possible.
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> See our tech section [Technology](tech.md)
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